Safe Homes in a Hotter Santa Monica: Adopt an 82°F Indoor Heat Standard
The Issue
The Problem
One Santa Monica resident reported 107.5°F inside her home. She said she had previously suffered heat stroke and now has to leave her apartment to escape the heat.
Other residents describe elderly neighbors becoming nauseous, babies living in overheated apartments, and portable air conditioners that trip circuit breakers or cannot adequately cool their homes.
According to the National Climate Assessment, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the United States have increased. Money Magazine states that extreme heat causes more deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined, underscoring the severity of this issue.
As our climate heats up, Santa Monica’s reputation for mild weather is no longer an adequate cooling plan. 70% of residents are renters, and standards must evolve to protect the most vulnerable among us—older adults, people with disabilities, and families who cannot escape the heat due to financial constraints. Our homes should be a sanctuary from extreme weather, and yet they have become an extension of the harsh conditions outside.
The Solution
Landlords have always been responsible for providing habitable housing. Santa Monica must acknowledge that just like freezing temperatures can turn a home into a cell, excessive heat poses significant health risks.
That protection does not automatically extend to Santa Monica. Our city must act.
By regulating indoor temperatures, we can prevent heat-related illnesses and save lives.
Providing equitable, affordable solutions could include mandatory installation of energy-efficient cooling systems, enhancing insulation, or utilizing reflective roofing and shading. These measures can drastically reduce heat absorption and improve indoor comfort, transforming renters’ living conditions and well-being.
Next Steps
We call on Santa Monica City Council to adopt an enforceable 82°F maximum indoor temperature standard for rental housing, modeled on LA county’s successful ordinance.
We ask City Council to:
- Direct staff to develop the ordinance, using L.A. County’s standard as a starting point.
- Set clear compliance deadlines, with practical implementation options and assistance where needed.
- Establish a reliable complaint and enforcement process, so residents can obtain a timely response.
- Include affordability and anti-displacement protections, so safer housing helps residents stay in their homes.
Nobody should have to leave their community to find a home they can safely live in.
Sign this petition and urge Santa Monica City Council to adopt an enforceable 82°F indoor heat standard. Our neighbors need protection before the next heat wave.
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The Issue
The Problem
One Santa Monica resident reported 107.5°F inside her home. She said she had previously suffered heat stroke and now has to leave her apartment to escape the heat.
Other residents describe elderly neighbors becoming nauseous, babies living in overheated apartments, and portable air conditioners that trip circuit breakers or cannot adequately cool their homes.
According to the National Climate Assessment, the frequency and intensity of heatwaves in the United States have increased. Money Magazine states that extreme heat causes more deaths than hurricanes, tornadoes, and floods combined, underscoring the severity of this issue.
As our climate heats up, Santa Monica’s reputation for mild weather is no longer an adequate cooling plan. 70% of residents are renters, and standards must evolve to protect the most vulnerable among us—older adults, people with disabilities, and families who cannot escape the heat due to financial constraints. Our homes should be a sanctuary from extreme weather, and yet they have become an extension of the harsh conditions outside.
The Solution
Landlords have always been responsible for providing habitable housing. Santa Monica must acknowledge that just like freezing temperatures can turn a home into a cell, excessive heat poses significant health risks.
That protection does not automatically extend to Santa Monica. Our city must act.
By regulating indoor temperatures, we can prevent heat-related illnesses and save lives.
Providing equitable, affordable solutions could include mandatory installation of energy-efficient cooling systems, enhancing insulation, or utilizing reflective roofing and shading. These measures can drastically reduce heat absorption and improve indoor comfort, transforming renters’ living conditions and well-being.
Next Steps
We call on Santa Monica City Council to adopt an enforceable 82°F maximum indoor temperature standard for rental housing, modeled on LA county’s successful ordinance.
We ask City Council to:
- Direct staff to develop the ordinance, using L.A. County’s standard as a starting point.
- Set clear compliance deadlines, with practical implementation options and assistance where needed.
- Establish a reliable complaint and enforcement process, so residents can obtain a timely response.
- Include affordability and anti-displacement protections, so safer housing helps residents stay in their homes.
Nobody should have to leave their community to find a home they can safely live in.
Sign this petition and urge Santa Monica City Council to adopt an enforceable 82°F indoor heat standard. Our neighbors need protection before the next heat wave.
The Decision Makers
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Petition created on October 7, 2026